WHAT WOMEN SHOULD PACK IN THEIR BACKPACK

Gentlemen, this post has not been written for you, so you are dismissed (don’t smile too much 🙂 ).
Now, ladies, if you have decided to go on a trip around the world, one important question that will rise is “What will I wear?”. You first need to ask yourselves another crucial one: “How much weight am I willing to carry?”.
Yes dears. Forget about your Samsonite 4-wheels suitcase that you bought for your last trip to Vegas or your favorite heals. Your backpack will be your new home/dressing room/office. And the ideal weight for the sake of your back should be around 13/14kg. WHAT? YES! But I will be honest: I haven’t made it yet. I am stuck at 15kg…

#1 – FIND YOUR BACKPACK SOULMATE

This step deserves careful attention. The good news is that in 2015 backpacks have become much more technical and lightweight so there are a lot of good options out there. After thorough research and trials I have chosen the Deuter SL Women’s Fit backpack. What conquered me was the SL carry system adapted to the shorter women’s backs. Marketing? Perhaps. But when carrying it, it is comfortable, the weight is well divided and properly transferred from the back to the hips and it has a lot of compartments which makes the organization of the bag quite easy. It also has a “Deuter Aircontact Pro System” technology that allows a good ventilation while carrying your backpack. Which means no sweating, which means less embarrassing moments in your journey.

#2 – ANALYZE THE CONDITIONS OF THE COUNTRIES YOU ARE VISITING

Vamos a la playaaa: will you be learning to surf from Sydney’s to Rio’s waves on a never-ending summer? Will you dare to go to Patagonia’s cold lands? Will you face the Death Valley almost unbearable hot temperatures? Will you go to Japan to see Spring’s Cherry Blossoms?

Culture and religion: are there cultural aspects you should take into consideration before packing only that micro-short you love?

Type of trip: are you an adventurer going for Australia’s lonesome outback? An adreline-addict who can’t wait to ski jump in New Zealand’s peaks? A camping fan going to Canada’s National Parks or are you a heavy party girl with Vegas, Dubai and Coachella on your mind?

Exceptions: if the only place where you will have low temperatures is a 2-week stop, wouldn’t it be wiser to buy the few extra clothing you will need locally and ship them home to avoid carrying useless gear for the rest of the trip?

#3 – READ WHAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN

There are no wiser advices than the ones from the people on the road. There are several very good blogs out there. It is a bit harder to find packing list for girls than for guys but I can add a selection of good links if you need it, just leave a comment!

#4 – FIND FASHIONABLE SOLUTIONS

A lot of girls buy those beige/kaki trousers that become bermudas after just unzipping the leg part. Practical? Sure. Would I wear it? I am not ready for that yet. But if people are buying those it is because they do have a point. So I have tried looking for something that could replace the practical aspect of it (color: does’t get dirty easily / material: is flexible for long walks and quite light / shape: has to be large to be comfortable and to allow you to move easily). The fashion solution? I bought a beige chino one size larger than my usual one and it is doing a pretty good job. Not ready to buy those wind/rain/clouds/sun parkas? A Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Parka will do the job and good news: they are super in fashion in 2015. See the idea?

#5 – DON’T DENY IT, YOU DO HAVE A LOT OF STUFF IN YOUR WARDROBE

We all love buying new pretty things before going on a long trip. But before doing so check out what you have first. It might sound obvious but there are 2 points you have to keep in mind:

Bring something from home! When you are homesick (trust me that will happen) bring that top you loved wearing at that music festival you will never forget or that hoody that makes you feel comfy and safe after a bad day.

Do not spend unwisely! If you are leaving for a year, you will require a lot of cash saved. The bill for a brand new look for a world-adventure might get high very quickly. You will remember that when you want to pay a night in a very good hotel after 10 days of backpacking dorms.

#6 – GO SHOPPING!

Ok, so what is missing?

Focus first on all the technical things you need to buy because that might take a while. A lot of people buy super expensive technical clothes. For now I haven’t felt the need of it, let’s see how the rest of the adventure will go. I have decided to take “normal” clothes. However a few technical things might be handy: light-weight parka (the best-of!), merinos long sleaves shirt, quick drying socks…
Then go shopping for all the rest. I have spent a lot of time in Uniqlo because they have a collection that is quite classic (which is great when traveling as it allows to create a multitude of looks) but is very comfortable, materials do not get crinkled and they dry quite fast. Other brands I have included are Levi’s, H&M, Zara, Sisley, Claudie Pierlot and brands from Urban Outfitters.

#7 – BE REALISTIC! LEAVE HALF OF THE THINGS YOU EXPECTED TO CARRY WITH YOU

And here you are… the backpack is full but a big pile is laying next to it. Don’t forget: “to choose is to forsake”. So go over your selected clothes one again and pick up what you will really need, what you will really miss if they are not part of the adventure and what you really feel is necessary.

#8 – YOU ARE READY TO GO!

Congratulations you have made it! Probably you are about half an hour before leaving so close your bag, stand up, put it on your back, open the door and go! Don’t forget your passport!

The Author

Hi there!
Welcome to On These Roads. As I was embarking on a trip around the world I have created this space to share my stories and experiences, give you tips on how to do it and who knows... Inspire you to try the same kind adventure!
I hope you will enjoy the site and stay tuned! A lot of new features will be coming up soon!